Spray cooled milk container and refrigerating system therefor



G. R. DUNCAN 2,740,378 SPRAY COOLED MILK CONTAINER AND REFRIGERATING SYSTEM THEREFOR April 3, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 26, 1952 FIG. 2

INVENTOR GEORGE R. DU NCAN ATTORNEY April 3, 1956 G R DUNCAN 2,740,378

SPRAY COOL-.ED'MILK CONTAINER AND REFRIGERATING SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed Sept. 26, 1952 2 sheets-Sheet 2 @lr26 INVENTOR 6 GEORGE R. DUNCAN M mw @q ATTORNEY United States Patent O SPRAY COGLED NMK'CONTAINERAND REFRKGERATENG y SYSTEM ATHEREFOR George R. Duncan, Washington, Mo., assignor to Zero Manufacturing Company, Washington, Mo., a company of Missouri Application September 26,.1952,.Serial,No. 311,772

10 Claims. `(Cl.11H-1409) This invention `relates to a milk cooler `for cooling a `container located in a refrigerator or lmilk cooler.

An object of the inventionis'to provide .a milk cooler having means for cooling the 'sides ofthemilk container by forcing a spray of cooling iluid over the sides thereof.

A further object of the 'invention lis to provide the mechanism for cooling the milk continuously by water spray means.

An additional object is to provide a bulk receptacledn `a milk cooler positioned over a-'sump with means forgproviding an ice bank in said sump.

Yet another object is to provide in the `construction set forth in the next penultimate paragraph, aiheat exchange -unit in said sump for supporting said receptacle.

A further object is to provide a serpentine passageway in said sump.

Other objects will appear hereinafter throughout tthe specification.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical section of a milk cooler `and container means therefor, with parts shown in full lines.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section ofthe structure 'shown in Figure l taken on the lline 2-'2fo`f Figure `1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section ofthe structure shown in Figure l taken on the line 3 3 thereof.

Figure 4 is a front lelevation ofthe milk container and showing one of the spray *means :in'dotted lines,

Figure 5 is a 'front elevationfofa -heat exchange Iunit :with one of the plates removed,

Figure 6 is a transverse-section through one of the heat exchange units.

In -the drawings the yletter A is a milk cooler or refrigerator. This cooler islpreferably'providedlwith spaced -walls l1 and 2 between which is'locatedfsuitablelinslation '3. The milk cooler is provided with a base '4 and a oorS upon which vrest the milk container, preferably constructed of stainless steel or o'f'alutriinum orothercor- `rosion-resistant metal. This milk container preferably isof-square or oblong shape having substantially straight sides 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The space between the base 4 and th'efoorS forms a sump for the reception of -c'hilled `water. ISome,atfleast, of this water becomes `frozen during the foperationof 'the device, thus providing an ficebank between Vthe oorand the base. The numeral 11 `indicates 'a pump having an 'inlet 12 and 'driven by an electric motor 1'3. AfItwill 'be understood that the pump, although shown within the refrigerator, may be located outside lofthe refrigerator, the only requirement being that the inlet fand outlet of :the pump 4extends Ywithin -fthe refrigerator. Water sis 'drawn into the :pump and force'cl out fthrough the pipe -14 to the spray pipes 1S, d6, 17,.:and 18. 'llhistpipe,:as shown in Figure 3, may `takethe 'form `ofzaisingle loop `which extends around the four sides :of :the milk v'container-'6. Each-of ythe apipes .15 to d8, inclusive, tis ,sprovided with a series-ofspaced perforations .-19 whereby .the Y.bulk :milk .container may `be ,continuously ,sprayed by -the water whichhasbeenpumped .from the spacefbeneath cups as .stated in .the `said 2,740,378 l'atented Apr. 3, 1956 2 the floor 5 by the pump 11, intotheseveral spray pipes 15 to 18 and out the perforations of fthe same onto-the `sides of the milk container. The'baseflt is provided with a'dran pipe'2`0 having a valve 21f0r leading the 'water -outof the space between the case and lthe door, andthe vdoor is provided With one ormore openings 22 located adjacent the leftmost wall, as :seen in Figure l, whereby water from the tank-may findits wa-ytothesump or space vbetween theoor andthe base.

Mounted on one side of the refrigerator is arefrigerating unit 23 having inlet and-outlet pipes 24 and25fconnecting the refrigerating Aunit with heat exchange means composed of a series ofo'ffset vertical plates. These plates are constructed in yaccordance -with the-:plates shown "in my co-pending application `filed concurrently herewith.

Eachalternate plate is connected to refrigeratorside walls ..27 -and 28, located on opposite sides of the refrigerator.

Refrigerator is provided lwith a removable -top '2`9having one or'more openings A`30, each opening'being adapted to receive a :funnel-shaped conduit 3f.. The 'bulk re- :ceptacle `is also provided with one or more openings "352 `.corresponding to opening 30, whereby milk maybe poured t into 4the receptacle by means ofthe funnel-shaped conduit 31.

. vIn .order to :regulate 'the Ytemperature of the `milk vand xthat `of .the kinterior of the :milk lin `cooler A, Vthermostatic means 33 and :34 are shown in fFigure l. Conventional `electrical .connections lead from xthese fthermosta'tic means to:therefrigeratingtunitl The :numeral 3S ,indicates :a suction vpipe extending vfrom above the cooler ito adjacent I:thebottom of the bulk receptacle. The Vupper-end is .screw .threaded foria clo- .-sure, which :latter :may beremoved andattingonthe end of aflexiblehose from .a .tankftruckCnotfshownzrrtaiy .be attached yto lthetend of lsaid LpipeSS. :At this'tirnethe yconduit 31 .is removed frorntheLopening 32,.and .any type nof-cover (snot shown) .may `hefusetl to seal ,the opening.

The refrigerating yunits form la .structural support for y `the floor .5 and the bulktmilkreceptacle 6. Eachrefriger- `ating unit is constructed as shown in fmy co-'prnding ap- 1plicati`on yfiled of even date herewith, `and as diagrammaticallyshownin 'Figuref 5 herein.

lt willtbe 'understood-that there-may be usedwith the above-described .construction in .place of thezfunnelsshaped conduit, a `.cover `similar 5to .that illustrated in .my .Patent No. 2,702,019, or the cover construction shown .inFigures 3, l-l, or12-of my Patent No. 2,470,979, .May y24, 11949, 'in which constructions there isla 'cover which .sealingly engages ,the `milk receptacle and .through 4which extends .milk vreceptacle -that is `not removed before, during, or

after the ymilking operation as `the `milk vis deposited .after milking .in tthe yreceptacle by being poured 'through =the openings 30 `and .'32, .or 'the .milk .from .the v,animal yis ldrawn :from a set of -tcat ,cups .direetly-into-the receptacle .as shown and described yin -my `.concurrently executed application, now VPatent No. 2,702,019, granted vFebmary l5, .1955. .Figure 1 .illustrates .this construction wherein the .sealed cover is shown at di), .the ymilk Vconduit .at 4-2, :vacuum conduit at ftd andthe second milk 4conduit at 46. Eachmilk .conduit is connected Vto a 'setfof ltent patent,l one set of .which is shownat Zllfin .Figure ,7. Themilk is withdrawn from Athe receptacle :by .means Lofsuction .pipe 21S-directly into .a :pick-up tak truck and .conveyed -to .a creamery no1' tothertnilk .processing plant.

Spaces are provided as seen in Figure l between the sides of the receptacle and the inner sides of the cooler.

The above description and drawings disclose several embodiments ofthe invention, as specic language has 'been employed in describing the several figures. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitations oi the scope of the invention are thereby contemplated, and that various alterations and modiiications may be made such as would occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Having thus kdescribed the invention, what is claimed as new and what is desired to be secured for Letters Patent is:

l. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and iirst conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle having a plurality of ilat side walls, said receptacle also having top and bottom walls, said first conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted yto be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, certain of said receptacle walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent at least one of said walis of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation.

2. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in` a buik receptacle as it cornes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and tirst conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being rectangular' with ilat side walls, said receptacle also having top and bottom walls, said rst conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source oi vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, certain of said receptacle walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent at leastone of said walls of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation.

3. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in va bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and rst conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle having a plurality of at side walls, said receptacle also having top and bottom walls, said first conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, certain of said receptacle walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent at least one of said walls of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion' of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation, said pipe portion extending around the sides of said milk receptacle.

4'. ln a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it cornesv from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being rectangular withr vertical sides, said rst conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, said receptacle having walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent the straight vertical sides of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation, said pipe portion extending around the sides of said receptacle.

5. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and iirst conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle having a plurality of flat vertical sides, said lirst conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, said receptacle having walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent the straight vertical sides of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said `pipe portion at least during the milking operation, said pipe portion extending around the sides of said milk receptacle, said pipe portion including a plurality of angular members extending parallel to the vertical sides of said receptacle.

6. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and rst conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being rectangular with vertical sides, said rst conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, said receptacle having walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigeration means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent the straight vertical sides of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation, said pipe portion extending around the sides of said milk receptacle, said pipe portion including a plurality of angular members extending pafallel to the vertical sides of said receptacle.

7. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and rst conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating Walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle having a plurality of liat vertical sides, said first conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, said receptacle having walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent the straight vertical sides of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation, said pipe portion extending around the sides of said milk receptacle, said pipe portion including a plurality of angular members extending parallel to the vertical sides of said receptacle, said angular pipe members having a plurality of apertures for directing said cooling medium from said pipe members onto the said vertical sides of said receptacle.

8. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being rectangular with vertical sides, said first conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, said receptacle having walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigeration means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent the straight vertical sides of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation, said pipe portion extending around the sides of said milk receptacle, said pipe portion including a plurality of angular members extending parallel to the vertical sides of said receptacle, said angular pipe members having a plurality of apertures for directing said cooling medium onto the said vertical sides of said receptacle.

9. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and iirst conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle having a plurality of at vertical sides, said first conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, said receptacle having walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigerating means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent the straight vertical sides of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation, said pipe portion extending around the sides of said milk receptacle, said pipe portion including a plurality of angular members extending parallel to the vertical sides of said receptacle, said angular pipe members having a plurality of apertures for directing said cooling medium from said pipe members onto the said vertical sides of said receptacle, and a sump for said cooling medium in said milk cooler, and a pump having an inlet in said sump and an outlet connected to said refrigerating means and to said pipe means.

10. In a system for milking a farm animal and for cooling and storing the milk in a bulk receptacle as it comes from the animal, comprising milking means including teat cup means and first conduit means extending therefrom, a milk cooler having insulating walls, a bulk milk vacuum receptacle in said cooler, said bulk milk receptacle being rectangular with vertical sides, said rst conduit means extending into said bulk milk receptacle, said receptacle also having a second conduit means adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum whereby to apply said vacuum to said receptacle and to said teat cup means, said receptacle having walls extending substantially parallel with at least some of the walls of said milk cooler, means for cooling said receptacle during the milking operation including a refrigeration means and pipe means leading therefrom and having a portion located closely adjacent the straight vertical sides of said receptacle, whereby to cool said receptacle by said portion of said pipe means to thereby continuously cool the milk by the circulation of a cooling medium in said pipe portion at least during the milking operation, said pipe portion extending around the sides of said milk receptacle, said pipe portion including a plurality of angular meub bersextending parallel to the vertical sides of said receptacle, said angular pipe members having a plurality of apertures for directing said cooling medium onto the said vertical sides of said receptacle, and a sump for said cooling medium in said milk cooler, and a pump having an inlet in said sump and an outlet connected to said refrigerating means and to said pipe means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,925,120 Tamminga Sept. 5, 1933 2,140,744 Hirsch Dec. 20, 1938 2,538,015 Kleist Jan. 16, 1951 2,538,016 Kleist Ian. 16, 1951 2,610,035 Wennlund Sept. 9, 1952 

